Warriors unbeaten start comes to an end in Phoenix, 107-95

PHOENIX — The Warriors unbeaten start ended in a flurry of turnovers, on tired legs, as a Golden State team down two starters couldn’t hold onto a 13-point second-half lead before losing 107-95 to the Suns.

Without an injured Klay Thompson and with Stephen Curry in foul trouble, Golden State committed a season-high 27 turnovers – and scored a season low 16 points in the fourth quarter – in cementing Phoenix’s late rally.

Throughout the Warriors unbeaten start, Kerr had been harping on the Warriors’ unnecessary turnovers, imploring them to make the simple passes rather than “plays that would make a sixth-grader blush.”

“We’re coming down and we’re making some of the dumbest passes I’ve ever seen in my life, and we’re still winning, so that’s good,” Kerr said after his team committed a season-high 26 turnovers against Houston. “But if we want to get to where we want to be, we have to value the ball.”

Golden State then promptly turned it over 10 times in the first quarter Sunday, leading to 12 points for the Suns. The miscues allowed Phoenix to hang around despite being outshot (58.8 percent to 37.2 percent) and outrebounded (21-17) in the first half. The Warriors took an 11-point lead into the break.

Just as Houston did the previous night, the Suns rallied in the fourth quarter and tied the game at 80 on a three-pointer by Gerald Green. This time, there would be no finishing blitz from the Warriors.

Instead, PJ Tucker intercepted a Curry pass – his 9th turnover – and streaked back down the court before being fouled by Draymond Green. The Suns finally took the lead 85-84 on a jumper by Isaiah Thomas.

Curry picked up his fifth foul on the Suns’ ensuing possession, much to the delight of their home crowd, and Gerald Green delivered the clutch finish, scoring 16 of his 19 points down the stretch. Thomas added 15 points in the quarter.

Golden State played a rare game without Thompson, who sprained his right hand late in Saturday’s win over the Rockets. X-rays taken after that game were negative, but Thompson experienced discomfort in his shooting hand during pre-game warm-ups in Phoenix and was declared out.

It was the first time Thompson has been sidelined by injury in his career – he missed a game in March to attend his grandfather’s funeral. The Warriors did not provide a timeline for his return.

Former Suns guard Leandro Barbosa started in place of Thompson and finished with 12 points.

Briefly: It was reunion night at US Airways Center, with Kerr and assistant coaches Alvin Gentry and Jarron Collins all having spent time with the Suns.